Multi-purpose pocket tie

ABSTRACT

An improved necktie is disclosed, which allows for the storage and of eyeglasses and/or cell phones using the improvement necktie. The necktie comprises two strap portions, which may secure eyeglasses through the use of a hole defined through a portion or all of a strap portion, and through which the earpiece of eyeglasses is able to be inserted. When the earpiece is folded against the frame portion of the eyeglasses, it will be secured against strap portion which the earpiece passes through. The hole may be defined only in the first strap portion, but may also be defined through the rear strap portion, so the earpiece is inserted through a hole in both the front strap portion and the rear strap portion. In this configuration, the rear strap portion should have multiple holes defined along its length. Also, a pocket may be provided so as to secure a cell phone to the tie during wear.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The necessity of having a safe storage and ready access to eyeglassesand cell phones is of obvious importance. Eyeglasses must be protectedfrom inadvertent abuse, and it is not always sensible to store theeyeglasses in a hard case or pocket. This is particularly true when theeyeglasses are used frequently.

Cell phones have reached a reduced size that was not present untilfairly recently, with regard to thickness and overall dimensions. Thereare times when it is not proper to have a cell phone emit an audiblering tone, but instead the phone must be placed on a vibration mode. Aproblem with this feature, is that unless the phone is in contact withthe wearer directly, the fact that it is vibrating may be missed.

The above problems have a joint solution, in which a necktie may supplythe necessary means to hold and store either glasses or cell phones. Thenecktie provides ready access, it is against the wearer's body, and canbe considered a rather protected zone, as compared to other areas of thebody.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is intended to provide an ordinary necktie, in whichvarious modifications are available so that the tie can support and holda pair of glasses, a typical cell phone, or combination of both. This isaccomplished through the use of a pocket, which may be located on eitherthe front or back strap portion of the tie, and where the glasses may beeither contained within a pocket, or where the ear rest portion may beinserted through a small aperture or defined hole in the front of thetie.

The front strap portion of the tie may provide a small aperture or hole,that is reinforced, and is able to accept the earpiece portion of theglasses. The earpiece portion is pushed through the aperture or hole,with the earpiece portion remaining inserted in between the layers ofthe front strap portion of the tie, while the rest of the glassesremains on the outside of the tie. The earpiece may be pushed through aportion of the front strap, the entire front strap, or both the frontand back strap portion of the tie. Simple gravitational effects, willcause the eyeglasses to remain secured in relation to the necktie.

In addition to the aperture on the front strap portion, a pocket may beprovided on either the rear side of the back strap or front strapportion of the necktie. The eyeglasses may be folded and placed withinthe pocket.

Said pocket may also receive and store a cell phone. A pocket may alsobe provided with a small opening to allow any external ear piece cord orelectrical wire to be placed through it.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a necktie thatallows a secure storage means for a pair of eyeglasses, cell phone, orboth.

It is a further object of his invention to provide a necktie that iscapable of storing eyeglasses or a cell phone so that said eyeglasses orcell phone are readily accessible, conveniently accessible, and easilyprotected by the wearer.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a front view of the improved tie, in which the front strapportion is shown, where said front strap defines a small opening or holeinto the interior of the front strap portion, and where a pair ofglasses is shown adjacent to and inserted into the opening.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the front strap portion of the tie,in which a pair of glasses is inserted into the front panel of the frontstrap portion.

FIG. 3 is a view of the aperture or hole on the front strap of thenecktie.

FIG. 4 depicts the two strap portions of a typical necktie, with a pairof glasses placed into a pocket defined on the rear strap portion.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the pocket portion of FIG. 4, asseen from above.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the tie, in which the front strap is shown withthe eyeglass ear rest placed through the opening or hole. A pocket isalso shown on the back strap portion.

FIG. 7 is a side view the tie shown in FIG. 6, in which the ear rest hasbeen inserted through a hole defined in both the front strap and backstrap.

FIG. 8 is a view of the backside of the front strap portion of a necktie, showing a pocket in which a cell phone has been placed within saidpocket. The bottom area of the pocket defines an opening through whichan electrical cord may be placed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to figure one, a front strap portion 40 of a necktie 10 isshown, as viewed from the front side, so that the front panel portion 45of the front strap 40 is visible. Typical eyeglasses 20 are also shown,where said eyeglasses 20 have an elongated earpiece 21, as is found onmost eyeglasses. The earpiece 21 has a defined peripheral end 51, whichis able to be inserted through a hole 30 defined on the front panel ofthe front strap portion 40 of the tie 10. Moving the peripheral end 51through opening 30, the entire length of the earpiece 21 will also movesthrough the hole 30, until the entire length of the earpiece 21 isinserted through the hole 30, and where the earpiece 21 has been movedso that the peripheral end 51 is adjacent to the rest of the glasses 20.The defined edge of the hole 30 will be against the hinge portion 52 ofthe glasses 20, the hinge portion 52 allows movement of the earpiece 21in a rotational manner around the hinge 52 in relation to the frameportion 53, in an action commonly known as “folding” eyeglasses. Thus,when the earpiece 21 has been inserted through the opening 30, virtuallyall of the mass of eyeglasses 20 will be below the hole 30, therebyallowing gravitational forces to maintain the position of the eyeglasses20 so that they descend downward from the hole 30. This allowseyeglasses 20 to be stored securely in relation to the tie 10. Saideyeglasses 20 are easily retrievable and removable from the tie 10 bysimply grasping the frame portion 53 and polling the ear piece 21 backout through the hole 30.

Referring now also to FIG. 2, the front strap portion 40 of the tie 10is shown, in which a front panel 45 and back panel 46 define a smallcavity 43 between them. One manner of securing the eyeglasses 20 iswhere the hole 30 is defined only through the front panel 45 of thefront strap portion 40. The ear piece 21 is inserted through the hole 30so that it moves into the cavity 43. As is also shown in FIG. 2, thehole 30 may have a reinforced area such as increased stitching whichdefines the peripheral edge of the hole 30. The hole 30 may have variousornamental shapes and configurations to allow it to blend in with thepatterns of the tie 10. Further, the hole 30, may comprise an opening ora simple slit that allows it to be unnoticeable when not in use.

Referring now also to FIG. 3, two examples of opening variationsregarding holes 30 are shown. The hole 30 may comprise a rounded or ovalshape, which is defined by the reinforced stitching 31, such as the hole30 depicted on top in relation to the second hole 30′. Hole 30′ is anexample of a slit, in which the reinforced stitching 31′ allows thephysical opening of the hole 30′ to remain closed until needed, byhaving the reinforced stitching 31′ to come together when not in use. Itshould also be understood that other types of openings may be provided,with regard to shades and ornamental features. In addition, there may bemore than one hole 30 defined on a tie 10 so as to allow storage ofmultiple eyeglasses 20 or at the insertion of the ear piece 21 throughfirst one hole 30 and then back out of the tie 10 through hole 30′.

Referring now also to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, an eyeglass 20 a shown in FIG.6, in which the ear piece 21 has passed through a hole 30, where saidhole 30 extends through both the front panel 45 and back panel 46 of thefront strap portion 40. In this way, the earpiece 21 is not located orheld in between said panels 45 and 46, but rather it is held between thefront strap portion 40 and rear strap portion 41 of the tie 10.

FIG. 7 indicates an additional improvement in which the earpiece 21 hasbeen placed through the hole 30, as shown in FIG. 6, with earpiece 21also passing through a second hole 30″, which is defined in the backstrap portion 41 of the tie 10. Back strap portion 41 may definemultiple holes 30″ along its length, so as to be able to properlyreceive the earpiece 21 regardless of how the front strap portion 40 andrear strap portion 41 are in relation to one another as to overalllength. Multiple holes 30″ are shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. Wheneyeglasses 20 are used in a manner depicted in FIG. 7, the eyeglasses 20act as a tie clip, and keep the front strap 40 and back strap 41 bothadjacent to each other and fixed in position to each other.

In situations where the wearer does not wish for the eyeglasses 20 to beexposed, the improved necktie 10 may also be provided with a pocket 50.Referring now to FIG. 4, a pocket 50 is shown on the back strap portion41 of neck tie 10. The pocket 50 may comprise flexible fabric that is inthe shape of the end area of the rear strap portion 41. Pocket 50 isstitched 51 or attached in other similar manner to the rear strapportion 41, where said stitching 51 is on the sides and bottom area ofthe fabric so as to define an opening 53 for a cavity defined by thepocket 50 and strap portion 41, into which the eyeglasses 20 may beplaced. As is shown also in FIG. 5, the eyeglasses 20 have been placedthrough opening 53 into the defined cavity of the pocket 50 and rearstrap portion 41. It should also be understood that this pocket 50 maybealso defined on the front strap portion 40 of said improved necktie 10.Generally, pocket 50 will always be on the rear portion of any of thestraps 40 or 41, but it should be understood that said pocket 50 mayalso be on the front side of any strap portion 40 or 41. It shouldfurther be understood that the configuration shown in FIG. 4, withregard to the shape and location of the pocket 50 in relation to a strap40 or 41, is not the only configuration available. Said pocket 50 may bedefined anywhere along the length of either strap portion 40 or 41, andmay comprise the only means supplied by the tie 10 to store eyeglasses,or may also be used in conjunction with the means and manner describedin FIGS. 1, 2 3 6 and 7. As FIGS. 6 and 7 depict, a pocket 50 is shownas an additional feature or option in both FIGS. 6 and 7, in addition tothe hole 30 and/or 30″.

In certain situations, the wearer might desire to store more thaneyeglasses 20 in the pocket 50, as noted and described above. Referringnow also to FIG. 8, the front strap portion 40 of tie 10 is shown, withthe rear panel 46 shown, which has a specifically designed pocket 80that is particularly adapted to cell phones 70. Storage of the cellphone 70 in pocket 80 are accomplished similarly as that shown anddescribed for eyeglasses 20 in pocket 50. Cell phones 70 may haveadditional features that require modifications to any type of containingpocket 80. Pocket 80 is shown so as to configure to the general shapeand size of a cell phone 70. It should be noted that said pocket 80 isaffixed to the back panel 46 of front strap 40, through stitching 51 orany other means commonly known and understood in the art. Said pocketfurther defines an opening 81, through which any electrical wiring 72may also be placed through said opening 81. As is shown in FIG. 8, aremote microphone earpiece 71 is shown, with its connecting wire 72going through the opening 81 and connecting to the cell phone 70 whileit is situated within said pocket 80.

As is shown in FIG. 8, the cell phone 70 may be secured within theconfines of said pocket 80 through the use of a restraining strap 65which is connected at one end to the top area of the pocket 80 through apermanent or detachable connecting means 67, and attached to the backpanel 46 through a permanent or detachable connecting means 66. Theconnecting means 66 and 67 may comprise snaps, Velcro ends, stitching,or any other means commonly known and understood to secure a flexiblestrap 65 to a pocket 84 or tie panel 46.

One benefit of using placement of the cell phone 70 in a pocket 80defined on a tie 10, is that a phone 70 set to vibration mode will bereadily discernible as to vibration since it will be resting on awearer's chest area. This allows both easy access, and the assurancethat no phone calls will be missed.

From the foregoing statements, summary and description in accordancewith the present invention, it is understood that the same are notlimited thereto, but are susceptible to various changes andmodifications as known to those skilled in the art and we therefore donot wish to be limited to the details shown and described herein, butintend to cover all such changes and modifications which would beencompassed by the scope of the appended claims.

1. An improved necktie, having a front strap portion and a rear strapportion, defined when worn, that is capable of holding and securingeyeglasses to said necktie comprising: a. a hole defined through thefront panel portion of the front strap portion of the necktie, which hasa sufficient size so as to allow the earpiece portion of eyeglasses tobe inserted through said hole; b. a reinforced area defining the openingof the hole.
 2. An improved necktie, having a front strap portion and arear strap portion, defined when worn, that is capable of holding andsecuring eyeglasses to said necktie, as recited in claim 1, in which thehole comprises an oval shaped opening.
 3. An improved necktie, having afront strap portion and a rear strap portion, defined when worn, that iscapable of holding and securing eyeglasses to said necktie, as recitedin claim 1, in which the hole comprises a slit opening.
 4. An improvednecktie, having a front strap portion and a rear strap portion, definedwhen worn, that is capable of holding and securing eyeglasses to saidnecktie, as recited in claim 1, in which the front strap portion definesmore than one hole that is capable of receiving an eyeglass earpiece. 5.An improved necktie, having a front strap portion and a rear strapportion, defined when worn, that is capable of holding and securingeyeglasses to said necktie, as recited in claim 1, in which the holecomprises an opening through both the front panel and back panel of thefront strap portion.
 6. An improved necktie, having a front strapportion and a rear strap portion, defined when worn, that is capable ofholding and securing eyeglasses to said necktie, as recited in claim 1,in which both the front strap portion and rear strap portion eachdefined at least one hole or opening through which an eyeglass earpiecemay be inserted through.
 7. An improved necktie, having a front strapportion and a rear strap portion, defined when worn, that is capable ofholding and securing eyeglasses to said necktie, as recited in claim 1,in which both the front strap portion and rear strap portion eachdefined at least one hole or opening through an eyeglass earpiece may beinserted through, and a pocket is defined on one of the strap portions.8. An improved necktie, having a front strap portion and a rear strapportion, defined when worn, that is capable of holding and securingeyeglasses to said necktie, as recited in claim 1, in which the frontstrap portion defines at least one hole or opening through which aneyeglass earpiece they be inserted through, and the rear strap portiondefines multiple holes along its length through which an earpiece mayalso be inserted.
 9. An improved necktie, having a front strap portionand a rear strap portion, defined when worn, that is capable of holdingand securing eyeglasses to said necktie comprising: a. a pocket,comprising flexible material that is attached to a strap portion, so asto define an opening and a cavity into which eyeglasses may be placed;b. stitching around the sides and bottom area of the pocket, used toattach the pocket to the strap portion.
 10. An improved necktie, havinga front strap portion and a rear strap portion, defined when worn, thatis capable of holding and securing eyeglasses to said necktie, asrecited in claim 9, in which the pocket is defined on the back side ofthe back strap portion of the tie.
 11. An improved necktie, having afront strap portion and a rear strap portion, defined when worn, havinga pocket that is capable of holding and securing eyeglasses or a cellphone within said pocket, comprising: a. a pocket, secured to a strapportion of the tie, where the pocket defines a top opening for a cavitywhich allows the insertion of glasses or a cell phone therein; b. asecuring strap, attached to the strap portion of the tie and to thepocket, across the opening of said pocket, to restrain the phone and/orglasses within said pocket.
 12. An improved necktie, having a frontstrap portion and a rear strap portion, defined when worn, having apocket that is capable of holding and securing eyeglasses or a cellphone within said pocket, as recited in claim 11, in which the pocketdefines an opening through which electrical wires may be placed that areused with a cell phone.
 13. An improved necktie, having a front strapportion and a rear strap portion, defined when worn, having a pocketthat is capable of holding and securing eyeglasses or a cell phonewithin said pocket, as recited in claim 11, in which the securing strapis able to be detached from the strap portion.
 14. An improved necktie,having a front strap portion and a rear strap portion, defined whenworn, having a pocket that is capable of holding and securing eyeglassesor a cell phone within said pocket, as recited in claim 10, in which thesecuring strap is able to be detached from the pocket.